A Legacy of Love

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May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another.

1 Thessalonians 3:12

The face reflecting from the windowpane, was tear-stained and so very sad. The face of little Sarah would have broken the coldest of hearts. She wanted to see her Grandpa. To hold his hand, talk to him, but he had died before she could say her last goodbye.

"God, please let me see my grandpa one more time", she said, as she looked up toward heaven. "I want to tell him I love him and tell him goodbye. I want him to know he is my best friend, and tell him not to cry because he had to leave me. I want to tell him not to be sad because I will see him soon." Please God, tell me how I can talk to my Grandpa."

Then it came to her. She quickly got out her pencil and paper. She poured out her heart in that letter. Tears streaming down her little face. She told him of her love for him. Of how sorry she was that she didn't get to his house in time to say goodbye. Of how she missed him, and him telling her those stories. All that was in her heart, she wrote down in letter. When she was finished she reached for an envelope and addressed it to "Grandpa Bill in Heaven up high". She neatly folder her letter and stuffed it in the envelope.

Reaching in a shoe box, she took out a balloon and ran down stairs. "Mom, Mom, where are you?"

"In the kitchen, Sarah. What's the matter?"

"Mom, do you have any of that helum (he lum) left?"

"Helum?" What are you talking about, Sarah?"

"You know, that stuff you blew my balloons up with for my birthday party?"

"Oh!" Her mother replied, smiling. "You mean helium. Yes, we do. Why?"

"It's a secret, Mom. Something special for Grandpa. Please, Mom? Will you blow up a balloon for me?"

The look on Sarah's face pulled at her mother's heart. "Sure I will, honey. Just let me know wash my hands and we'll do that right now".

Sarah taped her letter to the balloon, and ran outside to the little pond in their backyard. As she sat down on the steps, she looked up and said, "God, please give this to Grandpa. I've wrote some things I want him to know. And God, please give Grandpa a hug for me and tell him I will always love him. Thank You, God. I love You too, God."

Two months went by, and then a letter arrived addressed to Sarah. It began, "Your letter to Grandpa Bill apparently reached it destination and was read by him. I understand they can't keep material things up there, so it drifted back to earth. They just keep thoughts, memories, love, and things like that. Grandpa Bill says he loves you too".

This balloon represented a little girl's expression of love, and her hope that somehow her Grandpa would read it.

Written by: Janette Stewart

6-07-02

If we are moved by this girl's love for her grandpa, what about those we love who are still living? Death and eternity have a way of putting things in perspective. Paul, in his first letter to the Thessalonians, wrote as one who knew the lasting value of relationships. He expressed his deep love and encouraged then to increase in their love for one another (3:12).

Father, help us to see that people, their faith, and their love are what counts in love. Help us to show our love to all that crosses our paths, each and every day. Help us to walk in Your love, and to reach out to others sharing the love You have so freely given to us.

Lord, teach us the lesson of loving,

The love You are asking today.

Then help us to love one another....

For this we most earnestly pray....Amen.

Love increases as we give it away!!